Bry’s Week-by-Week NFL Preview: Week Four

Well, we are through three weeks and there is one more week with a full slate of games before the byes begin.  There have been some surprises good (Green Bay 3-0) and bad (Chicago 0-3), but there is a lot of football left.  So, on to Week Four’s action.  (Winners in CAPS.)

On Bye:
Arizona (1-2)
Atlanta (1-2)
Carolina (2-1)
Philadelphia (2-1)

Sunday, October 4:
1:00 – Tampa Bay (0-3) at WASHINGTON (2-1)
The Redskins continue to play well early in the season and should be able to handle Tampa Bay this week, at home.  Again, I don’t think the Bucs are that bad of a football team, I just think they will lose a lot of games…honestly.

1:00 – BALTIMORE (2-1) at New England (3-0) *
The Ravens always play New England tough.  Add to the fact that they are never intimidated and they get after the quarterback, I see this as one of the big upsets in what could be a crazy Week Four.  I do believe that the Ravens will go into New England and win the game, ending the ridiculous streak of 20 consecutive regular season games that the Pats have won with Brady as their starter.

1:00 – Tennessee (2-1) at JACKSONVILLE (1-2) *
Jacksonville usually plays Tennessee tough, and without Haynesworth in the middle of that D-line, Maurice Jones-Drew (one of the more underrated backs in the league) may have a big day.  Don’t forget that Jacksonville’s offensive line was decimated last year by injury.  Then again, I have this one going either way.

1:00 – Oakland (2-1) at HOUSTON (2-1)
If the Texans truly are going to compete, finally, they have to win these types of games at home.  I think they are ready to take the next step and it starts with Weeks Three and Four.

1:00 – Cincinnati (0-3) at CLEVELAND (0-3)
In a game I truly can’t wait to watch…oh wait…the Browns will beat the Bengals in Cleveland.  Only 4 games in and the Bengals might be done.  The Browns, on the other hand, probably have some life, if you look at their remaining schedule (not to foreshadow).

1:00 – Seattle (2-1) at INDIANAPOLIS (2-1)
The Colts, coming off a loss at Arizona should bounce back in a big way as they host a Seahawks team that they should outclass, especially at home.  The Seahawks are coming off a nice win over the Bears, so they might have a bit of a letdown on the road.

1:00 – New York Giants (2-1) at KANSAS CITY (1-2)
Another big upset, as the Giants go into Kansas City and lose.  The homefield advantage in KC is extraordinary and their biggest weakness (pass defense) will not really be tested by this sorry group of Giant receivers.  I think Larry Johnson will be able to run the ball on the G-men, and the KC front 7 should be able to contain the Giants running game.

1:00 – Detroit (0-3) at CHICAGO (0-3)
This Week Four game is exactly what the Bears are going to need after three tough games to start the season.  They will finally get in the win column at home against the lowly Lions.  Detroit has now lost 21 consecutive regular season games.

4:05 – Buffalo (2-1) at MIAMI (0-3) *
In a rivarly like this, you throw out the records.  Which is probably the right thing to do anyway because the Dolphins are better than 0-3 and the Bills might not be as good as 2-1.  Either way, I think that the Dolphins will right the ship and beat their hated rivals this week, especially since the Bills are coming off a nice win against New Orleans, so they may not be quite as hungry as the winless Dolphins.  This was, however, a real tough game to predict.

4:05 – New York Jets (0-3) at NEW ORLEANS (1-2)
The Saints, after losing in Buffalo last week, take out all their frustrations on the lowly Jets.  They might score 60 points in this game.

4:15 – St. Louis (0-3) at SAN FRANCISCO (2-1)
This is a game where the Niners of old might slip up and lose it at home, but I have faith in Singletary to win the games the team is supposed to win.  And, a home game against St. Louis is definitely one that they are “supposed” to win.

4:15 – Dallas (3-0) at DENVER (2-1)
Dallas is coming off back-to-back primetime home wins over excellent teams (Giants and Panthers), which means that a road game against an AFC team in a real tough place to play is just about the perfect setup for a typical Cowboy letdown.  The Broncos are good enough to win this game at home, under any circumstances, but with the aforementioned factors working against Big D (and no good coach to override them), Denver will either win a very ugly game or cruise to an easy victory, depending on how well they are playing at the time.  Either way, the Broncos win this game.

8:20 – San Diego (2-1) at PITTSBURGH (3-0)
The Steelers continue to roll in a great primetime tilt.  The Steelers defense is good enough to contain San Diego, and the offense should get enough to points to win this one.  The Chargers will go into their bye at a relatively disappointing 2-2.

Monday, October 5:
8:30 – Green Bay (3-0) at MINNESOTA (3-0)
The Showdown.  Now, I hate Brett Favre; that’s no secret.  But, he does always seem to step up in the big moments.  And, Green Bay coming to Minnesota on a Monday night will definitely constitute a “big moment.”  I think the Vikings win this game–maybe handily.

To go to Week Five, click here

STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 4:
NFC EAST:
3-1   Dallas
3-1   Washington
2-1   Philadelphia
2-2   New York Giants

NFC NORTH:
4-0   Minnesota
3-1   Green Bay
1-3   Chicago
0-4   Detroit

NFC SOUTH:
2-1   Carolina
2-2   New Orleans
1-2   Atlanta
0-4   Tampa Bay

NFC WEST:
3-1   San Francisco
2-2   Seattle
1-2   Arizona
0-4   St. Louis

AFC EAST:
3-1   New England
2-2   Buffalo
1-3   Miami
0-4   N.Y. Jets

AFC NORTH:
4-0   Pittsburgh
3-1   Baltimore
1-3   Cleveland
0-4   Cincinnati

AFC SOUTH:
3-1   Houston
3-1   Indianapolis
2-2   Jacksonville
2-2   Tennessee

AFC WEST:
3-1   Denver
2-2   Kansas City
2-2   Oakland
2-2   San Diego